Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Iowa

Iowa has 17 colleges offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,634 recent graduates. Graduates in Iowa earn $58,532 on average within two years — 8% below the national average of $63,931. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

Schools in IA

$58,532

IA Avg. Earnings

$63,931

National Avg.

1043

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Iowa

Public Schools (1)

$60,854

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (15)

$58,421

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Iowa produce comparable or higher early earnings for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in Iowa, Ranked by Earnings

St Luke's College

Sioux City, IA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,756

Graduates: 35

Acceptance: 44.4%

Morningside University

Sioux City, IA · Private

$58,479

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,354

Graduates: 46

Acceptance: 70.6%

Graceland University-Lamoni

Lamoni, IA · Private

$63,005

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,469

Graduates: 105

Acceptance: 83.2%

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, IA · Private

$58,402

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,706

Graduates: 37

Acceptance: 70.7%

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA · Public

$60,854

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,083

Graduates: 278

Acceptance: 84.7%

Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private

$65,441

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,140

Graduates: 54

Acceptance: 73.3%

William Penn University

Oskaloosa, IA · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 57.0%

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, IA · Private

$59,781

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $55,887

Graduates: 121

Acceptance: 93.4%

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA · Private

$59,377

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,077

Graduates: 124

Acceptance: 73.3%

#10

Mount Mercy University

Cedar Rapids, IA · Private

$56,847

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,547

Graduates: 195

Acceptance: 78.8%

#11

Clarke University

Dubuque, IA · Private

$57,210

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $53,088

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: 68.2%

#12

University of Dubuque

Dubuque, IA · Private

$57,318

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,828

Graduates: 31

Acceptance: 86.9%

#13

Allen College

Waterloo, IA · Private

$55,080

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,855

Graduates: 177

Acceptance: N/A

#14

Grand View University

Des Moines, IA · Private

$54,621

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,360

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: 98.4%

#15

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Des Moines, IA · Private

$57,137

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,825

Graduates: 219

Acceptance: 98.8%

#16

Dordt University

Sioux Center, IA · Private

$56,776

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,054

Graduates: 19

Acceptance: 71.2%

#17

Briar Cliff University

Sioux City, IA ·

$57,657

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $54,009

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Iowa?

St Luke's College ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Iowa with median graduate earnings of N/A within two years of graduation. There are 17 schools offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state.

How much do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn in Iowa?

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates in Iowa earn an average of $58,532 within two years of graduation. This is 8% below the national average of $63,931 for this major.

What is the hardest Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing school to get into in Iowa?

St Luke's College is the most selective Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program in Iowa with an acceptance rate of 44.4%. The average acceptance rate across Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state is 76.8%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Iowa?

In Iowa, private Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs produce average earnings of $58,421 vs $60,854 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 1 public and 15 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Iowa

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $71,489 Computer Science $67,647 Industrial Engineering $67,486 Chemical Engineering $66,073 Computer and Information Sciences, General $61,418 Management Information Systems and Services $61,155 Civil Engineering $60,985 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods $59,161

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.